Kylian Mbappe: I met with Wenger and almost joined Arsenal

Kylian Mbappe takes part in his first Paris Saint Germain session on Thursday. Photo: REUTERS/Charles Platiau

LONDON - Kylian Mbappe has revealed he met Arsene Wenger over the summer and considered Arsenal a "real option" before eventually deciding to join hometown club Paris Saint-Germain.

The 18-year-old completed a £166million move to Parc des Princes on the final day of the transfer window, turning down interest from the Gunners as well as a host of top European clubs in the process.

By the time PSG and Monaco agreed the extraordinary deal - officially a season-long loan with an obligation to buy next summer - Arsenal had long bowed out of the race, but the striker admits a move to the Emirates was a genuine possibility at one time.

"Yes, I met with Arsene Wenger, who is a great coach," Mbappe told The Daily Telegraph. "He has a great reputation here in France, he’s well respected and knows how to develop young players.

"This was a real option for me. But, of course, Paris Saint-Germain was the main option. We weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of all the clubs but my family told me that it had to be my decision and it was one I needed to make. So it was up to me and I decided to come here in order to develop."